SoC Newsletter May 2014 NEWSLETTER - WordPress.com · 5/9/2015 · SoC Newsletter May 2014 50th...

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SoC Newsletter May 2014

NEWSLETTERMay 2014

CONTENTSFROM THE CHAIRFrom the Chair 1

50th Anniversary -

Summer School 2014 2

Celebration Lecture 8

Articles 9

Jenny’s Tweets 12

Cartographic Ramblings 14

A new book 14

Society News 15

Events 17

End Note 18

Wallis Award 20

Bursary Application Form 21

There has been much discussion at committee, and via email, of issues facing the Society. Your committee does sterling work year on year on behalf of the Society and this year has been no exception. However, as has been noted before, new blood is needed on the committee, particularly as some of those in post are ready to pass on the leadership baton (having all done amazingly long stints). We undertook a survey of views earlier and a summary of them is available in this newsletter. In essence the mood of respondents seems to be for things staying the same in the very short-term, but necessarily changing significantly long-term, maybe into something the founder members wouldn’t recognise (let alone approve of!). Do have a read of the summary, and of the full report on the website. Do speak to any of the committee, and of course fellow members, and share your views at Glasgow.

There are plenty of details in this newsletter of this year’s SoC Summer School Conference in Glasgow, which takes us back to where we started from. It looks like a really interesting programme that Mike Shand is putting together. As always it is exceptionally good value for money. Please visit the Summer School mini-website at www.soc.org.uk/soc2014/ to access the online booking form.

This year we are celebrating 50 years of the Society, and there are some special events and activities to mark this anniversary. Work is progressing well for publishing a special book to commemorate 50 years of SoC. This project is being supported by the Society Project Fund, and is being led by Alex Kent and myself. It will be available by the time of the annual conference in Glasgow. Plans are now being finalised as I write for a public lecture in July to celebrate the 50 years, with Ed Parsons (Google) the invited speaker taking the (UCL) stage. Details available elsewhere in the newsletter.

As SoC Chair I have become used to periodically fielding either straight, or slightly wacky, requests from the media. I still have the occasional chuckle about being asked to nominate the most remote island in the oceans as part of the publicity for launch of the DVD of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, and then being cabbed to the National Maritime Museum (I was on sticks after my hip op at the time!) for a pseudo-press conference with adventurer Tom Avery. The full story on that, and my call from Oprah Winfrey, are in the November 2007 SoC Newsletter (available to all from http://soc.org.uk/newslett.htm). Anyway, there have been two more such requests this spring, which are detailed in a separate article in this newsletter.

Thanks to Rosie Duncan for putting this newsletter together. An indication of the situation alluded to above is that virtually all the information has come from the keyboard of Rosie, Mike Shand and myself. It is YOUR society – make it happen.

Steve ChiltonSoC Chair

NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTIONS

Welcome to the May issue of the SoC Newsletter. The Newsletter is published twice a year and designed for digital distribution via the Society’s website. Hard copy versions of the Newsletter are available on request.

Contributions to the newsletter are welcomed from all our readers. Please email all copy and photographs to:

[email protected]

Registered Charity No. 326285

University of GlasgowMain Campus

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50th ANNUAL SUMMER SCHOOLUNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW

31 August - 2 September 2014

A word from our hosts . . . The Society of Cartographers 50th Anniversary Summer School will be held in the School of Geographical and Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow where the Society was founded in 1964.

We look forward to welcoming you to Glasgow from 31 August to 2 September 2014 and to having a bumper attendance in this special year. The annual summer school/conference is a great opportunity to keep up-to-date with current issues in cartography and map design, and to network with fellow map-makers, or to meet old and new friends celebrating our 50th Anniversary.

The Summer School is open to members and non-members alike, so don’t miss out on your first attendance at this event or if you are returning having enjoyed our previous Summer Schools. There’s a full and fascinating formal programme plus loads of informal opportunities to share your enthusiasm for maps and mapping.

New opportunities for Summer School Bursaries and the Wallis Award for cartography will be available for this special year.

Lectures and meetings will be held in the School of Geographical and Earth Sciences, East Quadrangle, Main University Campus located in the city’s leafy West End and adjacent to vibrant Byres Road.

50 years of Cartography at GlasgowThe School of Geographical and Earth Sciences (previously Department of Geography; Geography and Topographic Science; and Geography and Geomatics) is also celebrating 50 years of teaching cartography, geomatics and map production at the University of Glasgow. The first students graduated in 1964 with a Diploma in

Cartography.

The current Geomatics courses include the MSc in Geoinformation Technology & Cartography which focuses on the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) together with visualisation and map production in a GIS environment. It is the only programme in the UK to have a significant emphasis on cartography; and our focus on the underpinning geomatics aspects and cartographic output is unique among GIS programmes. Today we offer a number of post graduate taught Geomatics courses at Masters, Diploma and Certificate levels.

The school’s staff and student expertise in cartographic design and map production has also been acknowledged professionally as past recipients of the Congress of the International Cartographic Association (ICA) Award and as three-time winners of the SoC Wallis Award.

University of GlasgowThe University of Glasgow is the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world and among the world’s top 100 universities. The University is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of leading UK research universities. The University was based at Glasgow Cathedral until 1460, when it moved to the city’s High Street. Over the next 400 years it grew in scope and size, prompting a second and final move to Gilmorehill in the west end of Glasgow in 1870. Parts of the High Street campus

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Botanic Gardens & Kibble Palace

Clyde Arc, Glasgow, Scotland

Kelvingrove Park

– Pearce Lodge, and the Lion and Unicorn Staircase – were moved stone by stone to the University’s new home and can still be seen among our 104 listed buildings. Today, the Gilmorehill campus is centred around a neo-gothic main building designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott. The building’s distinctive spire was added by his son John Oldrid Scott in the late 19th century.

Glasgow, ScotlandThe City of Glasgow or the ‘dear green place’, recognises the fact that Glasgow has over 90 parks and open spaces, more than any other city of its size. Glasgow is also well known as a city of culture with fine Victorian 19th-century architecture and the early 20th century “Glasgow Style”, as developed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, it also boasts some innovative modern building designs along its waterfront. Entry to all museums and art galleries is free. As a major European cultural capital, Glasgow is also a great place

to visit and enjoy the vibrant nightlife in the ‘Merchant City’ or ‘West End’. It is also a city of sport which will host the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and, for outdoor pursuits, Loch Lomond and the Highlands are within a one hour drive from the city. If you wish to extend your stay in Scotland check out the Visit Scotland website for some options.

Social Networking and EventsA special display of Society archive material and photographs will be put together for the first time to celebrate this special event. Already a number of long-standing members, including a former Society President, and Chairmen have confirmed their intention to attend. The 50th Anniversary Dinner will be held at the Òran Mór, a converted church and now a popular and thriving arts and entertainment venue in the heart of Glasgow’s leafy West End, with its many bars and restaurants around Ashton Lane and Byres Road. 50th Anniversary Quiz will be held in the Hillhead Bookclub a former cinema off Byres Road. Somewhere along the way there will, of course, be a 50th birthday cake and group photograph.

Wallis AwardFor this year only the Wallis Award provides a sum of £200 plus a certificate for the successful entrant. Entries from members for cartographic work completed during the period September 2012 to September 2014 will be accepted (see full details and entry form in this Newsletter and on the SoC website).

Summer School BursariesThe Society of Cartographers offers four bursaries to allow half attendance at the 50th Anniversary Annual Summer School Conference to be held at the University of Glasgow.Two of the bursaries will be offered to student and overseas members, and a further two bursaries will be offered to members attending the Summer School for the FIRST time (see full details and entry form in this Newsletter and on the SoC website).

Conference accommodation in Queen Margaret

Residence

Clyde Waterfront

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AccommodationEn-suite accommodation will be provided at the Queen Margaret Residences, situated a pleasant walk through the Botanic Gardens, past the Kibble Palace tropical glasshouses and along Byres Road to the Main University Campus where the formal sessions and meetings will be held. Residents have their own shower and WC, and share well equipped kitchens with: cookers; fridge-freezers; microwaves; kettles; and a common lounge with Wi-Fi access.

BookingVarious packages will be available to book for the summer school conference, from full residential (the best value!), through full non-residential for those who want to make their own accommodation arrangements, to individual day rates.Substantial member and early bird discounts will also be on offer on all packages.Expected costs are shown below (excluding discounts):Full all-inclusive residential package £290Non-residential Conference only package £140Day Rate £90The online Booking Form is due to become live in May and will give access to all booking and payment options including direct online payments, invoices or cheque.

www.soc.org.uk/soc2014/

Any Questions ?If you have any questions regarding the Summer School please contact:

Conference Organiser: Mike ShandEmail: [email protected]

Mike ShandUniversity of Glasgow

East Quadrangle

Ashton Lane - vibrant area of eateries and bars

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50th Anniversary Summer School - outline programme

Once all speakers have been confirmed, full details including presentation titles and abstracts will be published on the S0C Summer School website. http://www.soc.org.uk/soc2014/index.html

Welcome to 2014 Summer School

Sunday 31 August 2014

Sunday is arrival day for delegates as the formal sessions begin at 9am on Monday.

Early arrivals should register in the Queen Margaret Residences and proceed to the School of Geographical and Earth Sciences in the afternoon where it is proposed that delegates can meet informally, and view the 50th Anniversary and Summer School displays while they chat or network with old and new friends. Weather and grass (they are currently re-turfing the East Quadrangle) permitting delegates can enjoy a ‘Garden Party’ type reception in the East Quadrangle.

The highlight of Sunday evening with be the 50th Anniversary Quiz at the Hillhead Bookclub, a former cinema off Byres Road and now an interesting venue for some food and drink. A quiz team with some knowledge of the Glasgow and Scottish Diaspora (pre-Referendum), the SoC, cartography and 1964 would be a good combination plus, of course, some general knowledge.

Monday 1 September 2014

Monday is the start of the two-day formal sessions. The morning sessions are themed “Past, Present and Future Cartographies” and will reflect on 50 years of the SoC, cartography at Glasgow and consider future cartographic directions.

The afternoon sessions, “The Impact of Maps, Cartography and Mapping Technology” will focus on the sub-themes of People and Society; the Physical and Natural Environment; Historical and Regional Geographies; Access to Spatial Data.

The evening will be headlined by the 50th Anniversary Dinner at the Òran Mór, a converted church and now a popular and thriving arts and entertainment venue. The dinner will be as informal or formal as delegates wish, and there will be the customary words of wisdom from invited guests and a side bet on the time they take to enlighten us (£1 per head, winner takes all).

Tuesday 2 September

Tuesday will concentrate on the theme “Map Design and Map Layout for Printed and Digital Media” and will also feature a joint afternoon session with the ICA Commission on Neocartography themed on map design issues.

Monday 1 September 9.00am - 5.00pm Past, Present and Future Cartographies

Session 1

9am - Official welcome and opening comments

50 years of SoC - its contribution to cartography - Mike Wood, University of Aberdeen

50 years of SoC (SUC) - past reflections - Society members

Scott Building

Glasgow skyline

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Session 2

50 years of SoC - future directions for the Society and cartography - Steve Chil-ton, University of Middlesex

50 years of teaching Cartography and Geomatics at Glasgow - David Forrest, University of Glasgow

Lunch and ReceptionThe Impact of Maps, Cartography and Mapping Technology

Session 3

Society and Social Geography – designing a new social atlas of Europe - Danny Dorling, University of Oxford

Physical and Natural Environment - tbc

Session 4

Old maps and new web technologies: practicalities, impact and potential - Chris Fleet, National Library of Scotland

FutureMaps - Glasgow takes the groundbreaking step to OpenData - speaker, Glasgow City Council

SoC AGM

SoC 50th Anniversary Dinner - Òran MórTuesday 2 September 9.15am - 4.00pm

Map Design and Map Layout for Printed and Digital Media

Session 5

Keynote speaker - setting the scene on map design perspectives - Alex Kent, Canterbury Christ Church University

Aligning cartography with Ordnance Survey data products and QGIS - Christopher Wesson, Ordnance Survey

Session 6

Atlas and Commercial Mapping - Sheena Barclay, Collins Bartholomew

Recreational, Outdoor and Tourist Mapping - tbc

Lunch

Joint session with ICA Commission on Neocartography

Session 7 & 8

• Innovation in proprietary online mapping systems• Innovation with open source mapping services• Interesting map designs in the new milieu• Designing maps for mobile devices• Mapping from social media and crowdsourced data

Close of 50th Anniversary Summer School

Glasgow Science Centre

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TASTER ABSTRACTS

Aligning cartography with Ordnance Survey data products and QGISChristopher Wesson, Ordnance Survey

The Ordnance Survey have been working hard to ensure that their data users can benefit from the same cartographic quality that is synonymous with their more traditional paper and raster map products. This presentation aims to showcase why cartography is important to their data products, and will use OS OpenData and QGIS to demonstrate how cartographic output can be achieved quickly and easily in open source software using their open stylesheets.

Society and Social Geography – designing a new social atlas of EuropeProfessor Danny Dorling, University of Oxford In the distant past cartography often involved mapping places we did not know and had not been to. For many, if not most, Europeans the rest of Europe is neither a place they know well nor one that many have travelled that extensively within. Arguably the people of Europe less au fait with the social, economic and political geography of the continent they live in are the British (or at least the English). This talk presents the results of work undertake in 2013 and 2014 by Dimitris Ballas, Benjamin Hennig and Danny Dorling to produce a new social atlas of the continent which uses our general unfamiliarity with its geography as a potential advantage.

Old maps and new web technologies: practicalities, impact and potentialChris Fleet, National Library of Scotland

Over the last two decades, the National Library of Scotland has built up an online map collection now numbering over 86,000 items ( http://maps.nls.uk ), focusing on Scotland, but also including maps of England, Wales and Ireland. Whilst the original aim was to just make freely available zoomable images with supporting information, in the last decade there have been several new developments through georeferencing, including new georeferenced map viewers, an Historic Maps API, Web Map Services, and collaborative web applications. Much of this has used open-source software, including GeoServer, OpenLayers and QGIS, using code and practices that can easily be re-deployed elsewhere. This paper will briefly review these technologies, and examine several of the new, broad and sometimes surprising communities and purposes to which the online historic maps have been put. Whilst the impact of this has been huge compared to the previous possibilities with a paper-based map collection, the future potential is much broader still.

Getting to the University of Glasgow:

http://www.gla.ac.uk/about/maps/

Glasgow’s West End- montage

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CELEBRATING CARTOGRAPHY

Public lecture by Ed Parsons (Google)

University College London, Friday 25 July 2014

This lecture is part of the celebration of 50 years of the Society of Cartographers.Ed will be reviewing the last 50 years of cartography from his unique position.He has been GIS lecturer, was CTO at OS, and is now Geospatial Technologist at Google.

Time: 6.00pm for drinks and nibbles Venue: Room G07, UCL Department of GeographyUniversity College London, Pearson Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BTBooking: The event is free and tickets will be bookable shortly on Eventbrite.

Then the lecture will start at 6.30 in: Pearson Lecture Theatre - Room G22It will be followed by a discussion on the future of cartography, led by SoC Chair Steve Chilton.

Book here for the 2014 50th Anniversary

Conference at the University of Glasgow

www.soc.org.uk/soc2014/

Summer School 2014

Glasgow

Future Summer School Venues

Would you like to host a Summer School?

If so, please contact Steve Chilton

Email:[email protected]

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ARTICLES

I wonder if you could just ........

Out of the blue early this year the Society had a request from the Guardian for some input to a new micro-site on the newspaper’s website. It fell to me to answer the call. I have worked in academia for ages, and one of the oft-quoted advantages is its lack of ‘pressure’ compared to the commercial world. Now, don’t get me wrong, there have been times at Middlesex University where I have been under intense time pressure on some projects, and the rate of change expected in today’s HE world is mind-boggling sometimes. The following account, I hope, gives a feel for the world of today’s media and its contributors.

This story starts on a Tuesday in January when we got the call. Some of what follows is directly from emails (in italics) that went back and forth, and some is commentary on the events. It started with: “I’m the editor of the Guardian’s impending new website, Guardian Cities. It launches next Monday. I want to do a regular image gallery on the best city-related ‘info-maps’ - and wondered if you would be willing to kick off the se-ries by naming your 12 or so landmark city maps from the past - ones that broke new ground, such as the first cholera map of Paris etc. Obviously we really need them to be ones we can run online!”

So, I got back that day to say I would be happy to help. It seemed that they wanted “not pure geographical maps of cities, but maps that revealed fresh information about a city, such as cholera outbreaks or car use or whatever.” My offer was accepted and it was confirmed that rather than using contemporary maps they wanted to concentrate on past classics for the first post. The editor confirmed that they were “aiming to get the list finalised by the end of this week, so really sorry for the short notice. For now don’t worry about words, we just want to establish the ideal list”. The new site, Guardian Cities, was to launch on the next Monday (in less than a week).

On the Wednesday I replied that I had a research day and a meeting in town the next day, but should be able to provide some suggestions in the evening, quoting as a classic example Booth’s poverty map (http://booth.lse.ac.uk/static/a/4.html) and that I was sure I could come up with other ideas from other cities and other eras – they had already said not to be London-centric. So, this was going to involve me in some time researching ideas, checking for sources, availability, copyright, etc, but a challenge that I relished.

I did the work, and on the Friday sent them a document listing my suggestions. I explained that my criteria had been - looking at the maps and feeling differently about aspects of that place, or indeed life itself in some cases. I chose to theme them, but suggested that it didn’t have to be thus, it just helped me in a way, and could be chronological. I wanted to not include some classics, such as Snow’s map proving the Broad Street pump linked to cholera in London, Abercrombie’s ‘London villages’ plan for reconstruction of London after World War 2, and early Beck tube maps - mostly so as not to have too many London examples. There was also some difficulty in the time available in that I may not have got the best links that were accessible. It could for instance be possible to make all links to be from respected map collection sites, such as British Library, NY Public Library and David Rumsey site. I pointed out that “if wanted I could write a few sentences on each one over the weekend if that helps.”

Later that Friday the editor replied: “It would be great if you would write a paragraph on each that we use. But first let me just establish which we’d like to use in our first gallery. Typically, we

http://booth.lse.ac.uk/static/a/4.html

Paris voting map by Leon Montigny, 1869

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limit them to around a dozen images, and also we will need to check usage right”. He added that he would get back to me asap, but that the deadline for the captions would be Tuesday morning, so there was “only a little bit of time”. So, there was my weekend gone! Finally, he said that the examples would then run on the site the next Friday.

On the Tuesday I had not heard anything further, so emailed to see if there was a change of plans or a delay. The editor replied later that day to say “the truth is the launch has just buried me in copy, emails etc.” Furthermore, his colleague was on the case “combining your selection with some suggested by our data team, to come up with what we think works as the first ‘infomap’ gallery”, and she would get back to me later that day.

I carried on doing my day job and heard on the Thursday that they were “still chasing down the copyright on some of these but here are the images that we’re planning to use” – this was a list of 11 – 5 of mine plus 6 others. He then went on to ask for “(1) 30 - 50 word captions on each of the ‘infomaps’ that my colleague is sending you. Basically what you already supplied with

your original suggestions - what they show and why they’re particularly notable”. So, writing captions for someone else’s choice. He asked me to send the captions over as soon as I had done them all. Then “(2) then could you also write a 200 word piece (or more if needed) on the development of the ‘city infomap’ (is that what you’d call them?), explaining their origins, why they have always tended to be about cities, and why they’ve suddenly exploded in number over the past decade or so, with good and bad results (as per what you said on the phone)”. He noted that I was free to mention other favourites in this piece, including contemporary ones, and that they’d ideally need this second piece by 5pm latest. No pressure there then!

A bit of work juggling ensued and I just met the deadline, sending them a 360 word piece of background as requested. I suggested that they were free to edit as had to write very quickly, kind of as I thought it through. I also commented that I didn’t “actually agree that ‘they have always tended to be about cities’ as I explain”.

Later that evening (Thursday) the editor replied “we’re actually going to put it on the site mid-morning tomorrow - will shout when it goes up”. Probably due to work pressure he didn’t have time to get back to me, but I was naturally curious and checked the website bookmark during the day. You can see the resulting short article at: http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2014/jan/31/city-maps-evolution-history and the map gallery at: http://www.theguardian.com/cities/gallery/2014/jan/31/city-maps-ten-history-in-pictures.

Afterthought: there was a techno-blip in the above sequence that affected the end result. I had submitted the short article first, and just when I was submitting my final text for the selected maps my normal email screwed up and I lost one message (at least). This broke the chain for a brief while and the text used for the final map selection was not the full set I submitted. So, this, and the fact that the selection was part ‘hijacked’ by someone from the paper, lessened my satisfaction in the whole process. I hope the above doesn’t sound too harsh. It is worth noting also that the projected regular map image gallery didn’t materialise either – maybe I jinxed it! Having said all that it has been an interesting collection of city-based material and articles, that I have regularly gone back to.

http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2014/jan/31/city-

maps-evolution-history

http://www.theguardian.com/cities/gallery/2014/

jan/31/city-maps-ten-history-in-pictures

1854: John Snow’s map proving the

Broad Sreet pump in Soho was linked to a cholera outbreak in

London

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A second (unrelated) media request came later that spring, with an even tighter timescale.

Whilst I was on a long weekend break in Cornwall in late March I got an email from the producer of the Outriders radio show for BBC Radio 5 Live, saying “We cover hacking and making, digital culture and people who do intriguing things with technology. Basically more of a culture show rather than a gadget show ….. For the next program I am exploring maps and cartography. While reading up on this I came across the term neocartography and of course the [ICA] Commission and you.”

Whilst it was not that convenient, I replied to say I would do it. The downside was that it HAD to be recorded over that weekend. It was to be done by phone or Skype. Although in a remote village in SW England with no mobile phone reception, the wifi was good, so I set time aside for a Skype call, which they recorded for later editing. It was quite surreal really, being in my brother’s house, with his wife sitting in the same room listening to my burbling.

I had no idea in advance where the questioning was going to take us, and I rambled on about neocartography, OSM Haiti, the OS, my work, map design, and more. Unfortunately it had to be cut to fit; so detailed comments around OpenStreetMap and the interesting Haiti earthquake work hit the virtual cutting room floor.

It was broadcast quite late on 1 April, but is available as a podcast (and best played directly from the BBC website, rather than downloading). The other contributors were Graham Duncan from Ordnance Survey (on their Minecraft work, following some OS internships) and Saman Bemel Benrud from Mapbox (on creative digital maps).

Postcript: I am reasonably certain that it wasn’t anything to do with me, or the date of broadcast, but the Outriders podcast series, which had been going strong for nine years, ceased to exist after just another four weekly issues. The last issue talks of a new venture called Transmission Signal, but extensive research (Googling the BBC site) shows no trace of it.

Steve ChiltonMiddlesex University

Apps with Maps

City Mapper After landing in London for a temporary secondment and getting lost every time I ventured out, everyone I spoke to said two words to me: “City Mapper”. City Mapper is an ingenious app, free to download, that covers live departure information for all possible modes of transport between two locations in London. Every route provides walking, cycling, taxi, tubes, train and bus options, and includes the price and approximate number of minutes it will take to travel. It is reliable, accurate and fast to use, and its “Get me Home” feature finds your best route back in one tap.

One user aptly described City Mapper as “saving Londoners from London” and I for one would be, quite literally, lost without it.

Contributed by Cassie DuncanMultiply - London

http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/pods

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JENNY’S TWEETS

Subway simplicityThese seven rules could create one subway map for the entire worldhttp://www.fastcodesign.com/3029044/terminal-velocity/these-7-rules-could-create-one-subway-map-for-the-entire-worldRT via @maproomblog- a designer thinks he has the answer to the confusion of subway mapping. Certainly the Harry Beck formula does produce too much coloured spaghetti for some of the world’s largest cities. The main problem is fitting the information onto a manageable format.

Why the world needs OpenStreetMaphttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jan/14/why-the-world-needs-openstreetmap?CMP=twt_guvia @raymondkenney- reminding us of the implications of Google power and the neutrality and transparency of OSM

Map graphics a step too farChanging face of America. Bravo!http://cartonerd.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/changing-face-of-america-bravo.htmlvia @kennethfield- a good rant at yet another daft map to keep us amused or raise the blood pressure!

Seven things you probably didn’t know about mapshttp://edition.cnn.com/2014/02/02/travel/maps-daniel-crouch/index.html?sr=sharebar_twittervia @WhereverWriter- I’m sure there are a lot more than seven things I don’t know about maps, but this selection makes for an interesting read.

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London sound surveyhttp://www.soundsurvey.org.uk/index.php/survey/waterways/?utm_content=buffer45d74&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffervia @brainpicker- an auditory tribute to Harry Beck’s Underground map, I especially liked the ‘Zoo’ recording taken alongside the Regents Canal and the many sounds of brooks and streams, a compilation of all of these would provide a wonderful antidote for the daily commute.

‘Map of the Internet’ shows you where you REALLY livehttp://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/01/30/map-of-the-internet-shows_n_4700948.html?ncid=FlipBoardvia @DrSimonCarr- imaginary world, but beautifully executed in the style of an old map

Why geography is the best subject to study at university . . everhttp://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/03/24/why-geography-best-subject-study-university_n_5020334.htmlvia @K_Brickell- what we all know!

Crime doesn’t {{insert variable}}http://geosprocket.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/crime-doesnt-insert-variable.htmlvia @vtcraghead- as the author suggests, a ‘conversation’ about the curious connection between crime and elevation in San Francisco.

Contributed by Jenny KynastonRoyal Holloway, University of LondonComments from the Newsletter Editor

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CARTOGRAPHIC RAMBLINGS

IKEA store openings

A curious animation showing the expansion of IKEA on a world map

http://mike-barker.com/ikea/

Get to Know a Projection: Raisz’s Armadillo

Not a well known projection but an endearing article drawing attention to the way

Geography struggled to become a serious subject in the US in mid 20th century, because of its perceived lack of science!

Contributed by the editorStaffordshire University

A NEW BOOK

Map Worlds: A History of Women in Cartographyby Will C. van den HoonaardHardcover: 394 pagesPublisher: Wilfrid Laurier University Press (August 8, 2013)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 1554589320ISBN-13: 978-1554589326

An interesting exploration of the role of women in cartography, from a 10th century Spanish nun to the Russian-born cartographer Kira Shingareva, who was one of the first mapmakers to plot the dark side of the moon in 1965 and Marie Tharp who mapped the ocean depths. Although they are often on the margins, over the centuries women have left a very important legacy.

http://www.wired.com/2014/01/projection-

raisz-armadillo/

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SOCIETY NEWS

Celebrating Cartography (and the SoC)

The Society is 50 years young in 2014, and we are celebrating this marvellous milestone by publishing a special book that reflects on how cartography has changed and evolved, and how the Society’s Bulletin has been a showcase for that development over the last half-century.

The volume will be a key reference work and a historical record commemorating the first 50 years of the Society of Cartographers, an organisation which started life as the Society of University Cartographers in the summer of 1964. It brings together some of the vast range of articles that have been published by the Society since its foundation, comprising specially selected items from the Bulletin, the Society’s international journal of cartography. Papers have been chosen from all five decades, representing as wide a scope of themes and applications as possible within this ever-changing field. The volume is laid out chronologically, rather than thematically, allowing the reader to appreciate the technological and theoretical developments over the period. Each decade of articles is preceded by a short essay written by the editors that reflects upon the selected contributions and their influence, and sets these within the wider context of what was happening in cartography and in the development of the Society.

The book presents a wonderful opportunity to own some of the Bulletin’s best and most fascinating articles in a single volume, many contributed by authors who have had considerable influence on the development of cartography, including, among others, Alan Hodgkiss, Carson Clark, Mike Wood, Roger Anson, Michael Blakemore, Eila Campbell, Peter Vujakovic, and our current SoC President, Danny Dorling.

The book is edited by Alex Kent and Steve Chilton, the two most recent editors of the SoC Bulletin, and will be available at the Society’s 50th Annual Summer School held at the University of Glasgow in September.

Steve Chilton, Middlesex University and Alex Kent , Canterbury Christ Church University

SoC Survey and Future direction

As an SoC member you will be aware that at the 2013 AGM, it was intimated by the Chair that a number of long-standing committee members were stepping down in 2014 and that there will be implications for the future of the Society if these posts cannot be filled (Hon. Secretary; Hon. Treasurer; Newsletter Editor; future Chair). The situation was discussed at length at the AGM (as published in the Nov 2013 Newsletter) and it was agreed that the Committee would inform the full membership of the situation leading up to the 2014 AGM and canvas their views.

During late 2013 all members were informed of an online survey to seek their views on the Society’s activities and future direction. Non-members and subscribers to Carto-SoC were also invited to take part in the survey. The survey was conducted online using the SurveyMonkey software and had over 100 respondents. The full results of responses by members and non-members can be viewed and downloaded from the Members Area of the Society website at: http://www.soc.org.uk/members/membonly.htm.

The main feature of the results was a clear indication that the majority of members (83%) were in favour of some form of status quo in the short term for the Society but that a new direction was required to replace the current situation with 88% of members in favour of long-term change from the status quo.

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Below is a summary of the results to the 10 questions answered:

1. SoC Membership: 63% members; 37% non-members.

2. Years as an SoC Member: 1-10 yrs 40%; 10-20 yrs 20%; over 20 yrs 40%

3. SoC respondents who are also members of other Societies: BCS 53%; AGI 11%; Others or None 36%

4. Years as an SoC member and Carto-SoC subscriber: 1-10 yrs 37%; 10-20 yrs 34%; over 20 yrs 21%; not subscribed 8%

5. Other lists / blogs used by SoC members: BCS Forum 14%; CartoTalk 9%; Lis-maps 21%; Others / None 56%

6. As a non-member would you join SoC if fees were: Lower - No 72%; Yes 28%; Free - Yes 72%; No 28%

7. If Carto-SOC became members only, would you join the SOC: No 78%; Yes 22%

8. Changes to the Summer School: No change 32%; Vary dates 30%; Format / Content 22%; Lower costs 16%

9. How do members see the future of SoC Short-Term and Long-Term ?

Short Term: Status Quo 51%; Modified Status Quo 32%; Fully Digital or Online 11%; Merge / Join / other group 8%

Long Term: Status Quo 12%; Modified Status Quo 24%; Fully Digital or Online 24%; Merge / Join / other group 40%

10. See detailed results and graphs at: http://www.soc.org.uk/members/membonly.htm

The committee is keen to ensure that your views inform our strategy for the future and further comments on these results are welcome. Serving on the SoC Committee is an amazing opportunity to shape the Society’s short and long-term future, and how it can better represent the interests of its members.

If you wish to comment on the survey results or if you would like to be nominated for any committee post, please contact the Hon. Secretary or any committee member (full details at http://www.soc.org.uk/committ.htm). Full committee nomination details can be found at: http://www.soc.org.uk/assets/nomform.pdf.

It is vital to the future of the Society that we fill all committee posts at the 2014 AGM. Outgoing post-holders are willing to assist new committee members in making a smooth transition to their new posts.

SOC COMMITTEE NOMINATION FORM

We wish to Nominate:

Post on Committee:

Signed Proposer:

Signed Seconder:

Signed Nominee:

Mike ShandHon. Secretary

Help shape the future and make a difference to your Society by getting

involved

We need you!

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EVENTS

LIVINGMAPS Programme: Map is not Territory

10 June 2014Seminar 5 : Constructing New GeographiesAddressing the contradictions of mapping the post-modern city: the self defining spaces and the centres of powerVenue: Department of Geography, Environment and Development Studies, Birkbeck University of London

8 July 2014Seminar 6 : Communities of ResistanceCase studies in regeneration and gentrification, communities of resistance and the role of ‘counter mapping’.Venue: UCL Urban Laboratory, 4th Floor Central House, London

22 July 2014Seminar 7 : Mapping the FutureHow far can GIS be mobilized for radical action; can artisits’ maps offer a representation of emergent political landscapes?Venue: The Young Foundation, LondonAll seminars run from 6.00pm - 8.30pm

For more information contact the living maps network:General email : [email protected] telephone: 01206 827 777Ticket and seminar booking queries: [email protected] @livingmapsWebsite: www.livingmaps.org.uk

24-26 June 2014BCS Annual SymposiumCapture, create and CommunicateVenue: Marwell Hotel, Nr. Winchester, HampshireEncompassing contemporary technologies including BCS Mapathon, workshops, talks, visits, debates, awards, networking. Guest Speaker: Mapping the Floods: by Capt Robert Moore V (Army Cooperation) Sqn, RAFFor more information and online booking:Website: http://www.cartography.org.uk/symposium

25 July 2014Celebrating CartographySoC Public Lecture by Ed Parsons (Google)This lecture is part of the celebration of 50 years of the Society of Cartographers.Ed will be reviewing the last 50 years of cartography from his unique position.He has been GIS lecturer, was CTO at OS, and is now Geospatial Technologist at Google.Time: 6.00pm for drinks and nibbles Venue: Room G07, UCL Department of GeographyUniversity College London, Pearson Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BTBooking: The event is free and tickets will be bookable shortly on Eventbrite.

Then the lecture will start at 6.30 in: Pearson Lecture Theatre - Room G22It will be followed by a discussion on the future of cartography, led by SoC Chair Steve Chilton.

http://www.livingmaps.org.uk/

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END NOTE

Summer has arrived, well it has in Shropshire/Staffordshire borders over the last few days! Thoughts are turning to holidays, so why not join the celebrations for our 50th Anniversary Summer School in Glasgow and take the opportunity to combine it with a holiday and explore Scotland. Having had many visits to this fine city when our daughter was studying at the University, Glasgow is full of surprises not least the genuine friendly welcome you receive from everyone you meet.

As usual our Chair has been busy promoting cartography in the wider world and we need members to come forward to take on roles, within the committee, to move the Society forward in the 21st century. It is very rewarding to be part of our Society and make a contribution. For more information do get in touch with any of us on the committee. See you in Glasgow!

Ed

http://www.soc.org.uk/committ.htm

http://www.visitscotland.com/

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Society of Cartographers

WALLIS AWARD 2012- 2014

Entries are invited from members of the Society of Cartographers for this year’s Wallis Award

(for cartographic work completed during the period September 2012 to September 2014)

Entries should be accompanied by either a descritptive display panel or a written commentary, giving background details and technical information relating to the method of production. Submitted entries must be comprised of cartographic design or production undertaken in full or as majority effort by a member of the Society of Cartographers. Entries can be produced by either digital or traditional technology, in monochrome or multicolour and may consist of a single map, a series of maps for publication or an atlas. The criteria for judging will consider such factors as overall clarity; balanced layout and design; aesthetic appearance; content fit for purpose, and the appropriate selection and use of colours, type and symbology.

The basis for the award is “excellence in cartography”

The current award, courtesy of Honorary Member Mr David Wallis, provides a sum of £200 plus a certificate for the successful entrant. Notification and details (partidularly size and format) of the entries should be sent to the Hon. Secretary ( [email protected]), together with a note of your membership number, as soon as possible and by 31 July 2014 at the latest. The entry itself should either be forwarded to the Hon. Secretary or submitted two weeks before the beginning of the Summer School.

Judging will take place during the week of the 2014 Summer School at the University of Glasgow where all entries will be exhibited.

As an entrant for the Wallis Award you are giving permission to the Society of Cartographers (SoC) and its Committee to display the entries at its Annual Summer School, and to reproduce all or part of your entry in all SoC publications and on the SoC website, without copyright, or payment of royalties or reproduction fees. Author(s) and /or the holders of the copyright will duly be acknowledged in any SoC publication in which your entry or entries are published. Those entering are fully responsible for obtaining permission from the copyright holder prior to entering.

Please complete in full the following entry form and post or email the form to:

Email: Mike. Shand@ glasgow.ac.ukMike Shand,Hon. Secretary,School of Geographical and Earth SciencesUniversity of GlasgowGlasgow G12 8QQUK

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WALLIS AWARD ENTRY FORM 2014Name of entrant:

Address:

Telephone:

E-mail:

Organisation:

Membership Number:

Title of Entry:

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Society of Cartographers

SUMMER SCHOOL BURSARIES

The Society of Cartographers offers FOUR bursaries to allow HALF attendance at their 50th Anniversary Annual Summer School Conference to be held at the University of Glasgow.

TWO of the bursaries will be offered to student and overseas members and a further TWO bursaries will be offered to members attending for the FIRST time.Each bursary will cover HALF the Summer School attendance package and regristration costs. Travel costs to and from the SoC Summer School will not be covered by the bursary.

The aim of the bursary is to give financial assistance to members who would otherwise be unbable to attend due to lack of other financial support. Submissions will be reviewed by the bursary sub-committee.Deadline: 30 June 2014, successful applicants will be notified by the15 July 2014.

Please print the following application form and complete in full or email the appropriate details to:Mike Shand, Hon. Secretary,Email: [email protected]

School of Geographical and Earth Sciences.University of Glasgow,Glasgow G12 8QQ, U.K.

BURSARY APPLICATION FORMCLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS WILL BE FIRST POST ON 30 JUNE 2014

Name: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Address: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Telephone: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Email: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Organisation: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Membership No. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Membership Category: (student or overseas)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Comments to support this application:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------For further information contact: Mike Shand, Hon. Secretary, School of Geographical and Earth Sciences, Uniersity of GLasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, U.K.

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